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San Diego Events Essential Guide To 2015 Beyond Wonderland

WonderlandThe same production company, Insomniac, who produces and owns every Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) festivals, also has a California based series of event’s with the title “Wonderland”. Created from “Alice in Wonderland”, the most fantastic ‘bigger than life’ music and art mini-fest happen throughout the year here in California with many of Alice’s world and experiences built in to each dance party event. Most event’s take 2 day’s but a few are 3 days.

Beyond Wonderland This March In So-Cal
There is “Beyond Wonderland”, which usually takes place in the bay area, but fortunately for fest addicts like myself In South California, I can actually attend this year for the first time and it is in Southern California, this March. It is being relocated to so-cal and will be the biggest “Beyond Wonderland” in its history. The location is in San Bernadino, which has a massive pavilion. Many stages are designed from scratch for each different fest. There are too many mind bending art installations and so much to discover all over the grounds. This year is very special because I can actually attend, being that is not in bay area and one of my fav of time DJ artist’s happens to be on line up: Carl Cox.

What Is It About Carl CoxCarl Cox, who to me has saved me from so much negative life with only his House Music. My first Ultra fest in Miami I saw him and my first Coachella was all about his House music. Carl Cox is House music King who usually doesn’t come to the states too often. I think there is soul healing powers whenever he plays his magical beatz. I’m a House head and it isn’t for everyone. but if you are into music, are into musically, his beatz can make you dance with one note.

Escape From Wonderland: The Fun And The HorrorAnother Wonderland that is a personal fav and I try to go every year if I can is The Escape from Wonderland. It’s a gathering of fun and horror put together for hollow’s eve. There are many sick crazy fun characters who are a part of the fest as living human art running around the grounds all fest long. It’s a true must go at least one time in your life event if you like a scary style dance party.

Nocturnal
Nocturnal isn’t directly connected to the Wonderland series, it actually is it’s own fantasy world festival, straight out of a dream. The most amazing art is made for all 3 days and sometimes you can see the same art at other festivals. It takes place during fall, usually in September and Escape from wonderland is the follow up for Halloween. Camping is offered to most Insomniac events to allow safe dance party life at night.

White Wonderland
The Last Wonderland of the fest year is White Wonderland, which I have never attended before, but just from the pure fact of it requiring everyone who goes must wear white and only white, I don’t even own white…anything. I do not think I will be going anytime soon.
Once there, the stages become some kind of magical dance party with everyone on spirit level wearing all white. It’s at the end of the year usually around Christmas or like this past Dec. it was on New Year’s Eve.
Insomniac has grown globally and continues to grow beyond its ability to top itself each year. It’s also blazed the path of expectations for other music festivals to try to attempt the same level of experience and fail to produce such an incredible world and with the line ups that are inner connected within Insomniac events, the music is never a letdown.
With a packed schedule throughout the year, I find it’s impossible to attend all, but really love and can’t wait for next fest. Beyond Wonderland is calling me and is only now a handful of weeks away.

Bartender: Drink Please!
My drink of Choice during fest life is simply the Energy drink mixed with vodka and of coarse my fav beer Heineken. It all switches up with which sponsor is hosting the festival. With multiple days and long dance parties, energy drinks are a must.

San Diego Events Talks Bass In Your Face: Las Vegas Nightlife

Just getting back from my quick adventure in Vegas. I was there for the massive Summer Las Vegas Furniture Market Show. I feel absolutely thrilled and lucky to be able to take a peak into and test drive a few new great pieces of 2015 Furniture design. I got a close look into the latest interior technology. I saw everything from mattress pillows, bedding design, sofa beds, great modern bedroom furniture, and outdoor friendly designs. Even lighting was a big player at the massive furniture show. It was an amazing experience and I am not sure how anyone can possibly see it all in just a short visit.

While I spend my days touring the furniture show in Vegas, by night I was lucky enough to attend newer clubs on the strip. Las Vegas has really upped their game in the club world. One of my fav DJ’s R3hab, (re-hab) made a club stop at LIFE. Life is one of the new EDM glam clubs, hosted inside SLS hotel. Sam Nazarian, the owner of the hotel, spent around $500 million for the makeover and focused on a more personable feel. It was well over one million spent. I was shocked how the SLS hotel changed their look from an old Sahara Hotel to a major makeover. I even saw a 3-D video screen hanging above the center bar on the main casino floor, which had every person mesmerized.

The amazing effects of the decorations hypnotized us all while we drank our cocktails. I myself geared up for the eve with red-bull and a Vodka Lime Martini.

Vodka lime Martini

Vodka Lime Martini

1 part Belvedere

2 parts red bull

1 lime wedge squeezed

(Some like to splash cranberry but I prefer a touch of citrus)

Belvedere was on site in SLS and inside Club LIFE at most tables. The sound system was intense. A perfectly placed system to give every inch in the club a true surround sound effect no matter where you were, the music took you over body and soul. The light system was on full force with laser/spotlight/and video screens along with typical club effects, but not done over the top. Blasts of cold fog kept the dance floor cool and fresh, and then confetti happened! The confetti rain experience happened more than once on the dance floor. The DJ’s decks were spacious, clean, and visually obtainable by any fan that wanted a better look while mixing went down. Dancers reminded me of Miami, they were dressed for fantasy and beyond. It was open later than I could hang, so I def will go again. I did miss the looping roller coaster that used to live just in front of the old Sahara hotel and now that it’s gone, I feel lucky enough to have had the chance to ride it.

R3hab’s performance is never a letdown and never a “press play” gig. No doubt he gave sweat beatz as they fell over the crowd. I’ve been lucky enough to see him perform at festival style gigs, but this was my 1st r3hab club gig. I saw him flood the main stage at an event called Nocturnal Wonderland, which took place in San Bernadino, Ca over a two-day period last September 2014. Bigger than life stage designs and amazing artists, bands and DJ's come from all over the globe to make Nocturnal Wonderland happen. The event is produced by famous Insomniac, which is known for its massive event electric daisy carnival, a.k.a. E.D.C. R3hab is also scheduled to be a part of Coachella this year, which his performance is perfect and will be a “not to miss” time slot gig. I’m hoping to be able to catch him again before 2015 runs out.

I’m looking forward to the next time I go back to Vegas. Currently most of the Vegas day clubs are now on a hiring spree for table service runners and dancers for the summer season, which kicks off soon. Most of the major hotels take the club to the pool area and create massive fun. A special thanks to R3hab, W&W and Bloody Beatroots for great gigs and a massive special thank you to The Futon Shop for amazing experience at the Market Furniture show.

If You Enjoyed This Article On Music, You might find My Take On The Grammy Nominations For 2015 interesting.

San Diego Life Reviews Grammy 2015 Nominations Bands

Rewards Season Is Here: Best Of The Performers

Award season is here again, and LA is buzzing with hope for
so many in the music industry. Sunday Feb 8th at LA LIVE in downtown
Los Angeles becomes the new L.A. The Hot Spot is Elbows deep with red carpet
construction. Top of the performer’s list is Katy Perry, who was just added to
performance list. I have a feeling it may have to do with the fact that she has
so many followers and gave NFL half time super bowl the most watched half time
show ever! I’m actually hoping to see “LEFT” shark at the Grammys with Katy.

ACDC, Beyonce, And EDM Blending With Mainstream Artists

ACDC
made the list of performer’s and actually is headlining Coachella Music Fest
this year. It’s so great to see classic gut-rock still going. Another artist
that we can’t ignore for his talent is Jack White, who has multiple nom’s with
his last release Lazaretto. By the way, it is released on vinyl and as a CD of
coarse dig release, but the Vinyl release broke all the rules with how it was
made from the recording to the bizarre ability to go into loop at the end. One
of the biggest surprises at last year’s Coachella fest was Motorhead, which
blew every performance to dust with the grinding roller coaster vocals and the
razor sharp guitar. The thunder from space drumming has made the Nom list with
Heart Broken. Coldplay has made the nom list with their release, Sky Full of
Stars. Personally speaking, I’m way more into the remix than original track.
Avicii remixed it for Coldplay and then Hardwell took it beyond and totally
crushed it. I Really hope Coldplay gives a shout out to HARWELL if they win.
Seems to me that too many great artists go without awards and it seems
electronic music is finally seeping into everyday life by demand. I hope to see
more E.D.M. categories in mainstream music awards.

Beyonce will try to reclaim her crown with nominations and I
hoping to see her elaborate dance performance with someone interesting.

Epic CollaborationA great
new collaboration is Kanya and Paul McCartney. Not sure how it will turn out, but they
are both being deep into the biz, so I’m sure it’s not just for kicks.

What Is Buzzing?

Everyone seems buzzing about Smith. His old school
R&B male vocal’s done with a smooth

current beat that makes you crave to
hear it over and over again. Anyone in radio knows it’s now played every
minute. “Stay With Me” should take more than a few Grammy’s home.

My Personal Favorites

As for my current favorite style of music, E.D.M. Dance
category, I am sad to see it as the weakest and the least acknowledged with too
few sub-categories. Only 2 (Best Dance Recording and Best Dance album ) nominations
and I’m sure it’s why who ever wins, will love to share and mention EDM who do
not get proper attention as musical artist’s. On a positive not, I am rather
happy to see Disclosure collaboration with J Blige “F for You” actually
make the cut. I feel lucky enough to be able to have seen them live last year
at Coachella. They did come to San Diego for a gig but was a “win tic” only. No
tickets or passes were available to buy.

What To Look ForBasement Jaxx, who has definitely
earned the nomination, has amazing talent. I can’t wait to see Duke Dumont, who
is also amazing live. Another Fav who made the cut was Mat Zo, who is never
stuck in any box or loop. From Chill wave, Chill house, hard house to pure
techno, the unbelievable talent goes unnoticed. It is probably because he so young.
Deadmau5 even lands a nom and I hope he responds with a performance. There is never
a dull second with him on the deck. Who didn’t make the nom list and whom I
think should have been acknowledged? Calvin Harris! Most take him as a pop
artist, but no matter what we think, the man knows how to get the globe on
their feet and dance. He has a great peace factor within his music. I am also
surprised Porter Robinson didn’t make the cut, being that his last release was amazing.

Keeping It Old School

One of my fav hip hop R&B star’s hosting again this year
is LL COOL J, who has so many hits himself and give’s so much to so many.
Between acting, music life, and his personal life, the rapper has mad skills throughout
the decades.

The Top Of The ChartsThe nominee list is
beyond strong at heart and there is so much talent for the big night. Fancy, by
Iggy Azalea with Def Jam records made more than a few categories and Nicki
Minaj’s Anaconda didn’t get as many as I thought would. Queen of Rap is
debatable, when we all saw Missy Elliott crush the super half time show. Also, waiting
to win is Wiz Khalifa with multiple nom’s and amazing drop.We still can’t get enough of Taylor Swift, with her hit
after hit; she could be the shining star of the night. But I am hoping the
Grammys spread the golden love around. Tony Bennett even took a leap of faith
with Lady GaGa on his new release and new tour, and both will share their love
for Chill beatz and love of music this Sunday. Ed Sheeran gets another shot at
winning again this year with his “Thinking Out Loud” which was made to win.

Who Is Sponsoring?

With so many sponsors’ this year the whole event should be
bigger than ever. I’m hoping for fewer commercials this year and maybe a view
of some V.I.P. gigs. The best is when so much talent comes together and join
forces to make new beatz happen.

One of the Grammy sponsor’s is Ciroc Vodka, which started in
Europe and was a low level seller before 2007 at selling 40,000 cases per year.
Ciroc made a face change upgrade to promo the product and with the help of Sean
Diddy Combs, pushed a whole new direction. Diddy took it to over 2 million
cases per yr and is still growing. Distilled 5 times without any aging process,
a smooth taste and more than a few flavors, Ciroc has now become a top choice
for many inside the V.I.P. world globally. The new flav Amaretto opens new doors
for mixology to experience “NEW” again. The perfect flav for awesome beatz!

Drinks At The Bar In San Diego: The Beer Capitol

Beer In San Diego

Ahh, San
Diego, the Unites States most southwesterly city (excluding those in Hawaii, of
course). A number of things jump into people’s minds when the topic of San
Diego pops up. The city is well known for its beaches, bikinis, and burritos. While
I like all three of those things, my favorite offering San Diego provides
starts with another “b”… it is beer!

With close
to a hundred breweries in the county, San Diego has rightfully earned its title
as “Beer Capitol of the Unites States.” Some of the larger breweries, like
Stone Brewing Company, are world renown, providing a stable, consistently
delicious core line of brews available year round. Other, smaller breweries
stick to small batches, using only in season ingredients in strange and inexplicably
delicious combinations to create a unique beer you may never drink again.

Reinheitsgebot In San Diego

There are
four basic ingredients in beer: hops, barley, yeast, and of course water. While
some breweries like to experiment, adding variables like wheat, chocolate,
vanilla, or chili peppers, most breweries today keep it simple, adhering to the
ancient (but since slightly modified) German law of Reinheitsgebot.The latter is also known as the German Beer
Purity law, that states that anything labeled beer most only use those four
basic ingredients. It’s a good law, and one that most massive breweries these
days simply don’t follow, adding impure ingredients, known as “adjuncts” like
rice or corn, to save money and increase production, but at the cost of flavor
(Think Miller, or Coors..Yuck!)

The way in
which these four basic ingredients are used can have a tremendous impact on the
type and flavor of the beer. Use a large amount of hops and you end up with golden
India pale ale. Use too much barley and you end up with a dark stout, or
porter. The combinations are endless, and inevitably amazing. Fortunately for
those of us in San Diego, nearly every possible style of beer is produced
locally, and is available at any number of local bars, or even in some
instances, straight from the brewery itself!

Beer In San Diego

If you could
not already tell, I am a passionate beer connoisseur, and will bring it upon
myself to taste and write about a number of local beers, breweries, and bars
each week. Next week, I start off at the crown jewel in San Diego’s growing
beer scene…Stone Brewing.